Tag: 2nd Corinthians 7
Godly sorrow brings repentance!
Scripture reading for August 5th: 2nd Corinthians 7
Key scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Corinthians 7:9-11 “. . .yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.”
Repentance is a word that is not always understood in the Christian community. It is often associated with sorrow and sadness concerning something that has caused brokenness or harm to another or to us. Sometimes, we feel that the sorrow is what God wants and continue to live under a spirit of oppression or depression because of what we have done. But God wants to set us free from condemnation through conviction of sin which brings the ‘godly sorrow’ that leads us to Christ for His mercy and cleansing. This delivers us from guilt and shame and enables us to change our action, attitudes and character to be more like Christ!
Observations for over-comers: Repentance and cleansing are a part of normal growth in the lives of over-comers as we allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify us and separate us from sin and its grip on our lives. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your Presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:10-12)
Godly sorrow and repentance!
Scripture reading for August 6th: 2nd Corinthians 7
God had made amazing promises to His people! He promised to be a Father to them and to adopt them as His own sons and daughters. He would be their God and they would be His people! “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (2nd Corinthians 7:1)
Paul pleaded with the church in Corinth to allow the promises of God to motivate them in pursuit of holiness. They were to break off unholy alliances with unbelievers and pursue everything that would please the Lord. They were to take the Word of God seriously. Sin contaminates body and spirit and hinders our relationship with God our Father. We must respect and honor Him enough to leave sin behind and pursue holiness.
Paul wrote to them to help them see areas that needed work. “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it–I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while–yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2nd Corinthians 7:8-10) When the Holy Spirit is at work through God’s Word, it produces sorrow for disobedience in the believer. This sorrow should produce repentance, a change of mind and action, that leads to holiness and life! Paul was now happy that the church members had responded properly. Have you experienced this ‘godly sorrow’ and truly repented?